PYGMY OR LITTLE IDAHO RABBIT
Brachylagus idahoensis
WEIGHT: Almost 1 lb.
LENGTH: 9-15 in.
DESCRIPTION: Smallest rabbit in North America. Upper parts are buffy gray. Under parts are white. Hair is thick and soft. Hind legs relatively short. Hind feet comparatively broad. Ears short and rounded. Tail small and inconspicuous.
RANGE/HABITAT: Range is large basin between the Cascades, the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, including southeastern Washington, eastern Oregon, southern Idaho, southwestern Montana, southwestern Wyoming, northeastern California, northern Nevada and western Utah.
Prefer tall, dense clumps of sagebrush. Often have extensive runways that interlace through the sage thickets.
ADAPTATIONS: This rabbit digs its own dens (unique to North American rabbits). Burrows can have 4-5 entrances. Tunnels from burrow chambers can be 1 m. deep. Will sometimes occupy holes in rock or burrows made by other animals. Single individual per burrow generally. Sometimes several frightened animals may shelter together. Usually crepuscular. Can make several vocalizations including alarm calls.
COURTSHIP/GESTATION/BIRTH: During breeding season, pairs only tolerate one another long enough to mate. Female will give birth between late May and early August. Litter size of 4-8 young with a maximum of 3 litters per year. Young will breed the season after their birth.
PREY/PREDATOR: Predators include weasel family, rats, owls, ravens/crows, hawks, badgers, foxes.
DIET: Largely sagebrush. In summer, diet consists of 50% sagebrush leaves, 40% grasses and 10% forbs.
STATUS: Endangered in Washington, but not listed in other states. The species is a “Sensitive Species” in Oregon and California.